Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (1999) 44, 416-418
© 1999 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Correspondence |
Naturally occurring antibacterial activities of avian and crocodile tissues
J Antimicrob Chemother 1999; 44: 416418
a Eyteen Ltd, Rad Ramot Biotechnology Incubator, Tel-Hashomer b Vulcani Centre, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet-Dagan c Department of Pathology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel d Departments of Pharmacology e and Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil f Susanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit, Institute of Genetics, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
Sir,
Exposure of higher eukaryotes to pathogenic microorganisms stimulates a complex host defence response that includes the synthesis and secretion of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides.1 The existence of these peptides was first recognized in invertebrates, with the discovery of cecropins in the silkmoth,2 and was subsequently confirmed by the isolation of magainin from frog skin.3 Since these discoveries, more than 200 antibacterial compounds have been detected in many different species, including humans.
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